Sunday, January 06, 2008

More changes at Wrigley

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the first night game at Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs. The first night game was Aug. 8, 1988 (easy to remember: 8/8/88). Actually, after a couple of innings, the contest was rained out, and the first official game at night occurred the following evening.

Part of the ballpark's charm was (until 1988) its daytime-only schedule and its low-tech features, including its hand-operated scoreboard.

Anyway, there have been several changes to the historic stadium, built in 1914, with most of them involving dollar signs -- more advertising signs, corporate boxes and high-priced seats. But baseball has always been a business, so no one should be shocked or surprised.

Last week, the city gave the Cubs permission to add 70 “bullpen box seats” along the third base line and install additional signage inside Wrigley. More room for fans, less room for ballplayers to track down foul balls.

In the 19th and early 20th century, if more spectators showed up than could be accommodated, management let patrons stand in the outfield, behind ropes. Batted balls hit into the crowd usually counted as a ground-rule double.

Maybe the Cubs will bring back that practice. How much would people pay to stand ON the landmark field during a game?

Jay Berwanger

"Jay Berwanger, a Dubuque native and winner of college football's first Heisman Trophy (1935), is the subject of my latest research project. (Photo: University of Chicago.)

Ray Schalk

Ray Schalk, star catcher of the Chicago White Sox (1912-28), is the subject of my recently released book: Ray Schalk: A Baseball Biography. Photo: National Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress.

Red Faber

This star pitcher of the Chicago White Sox is the subject of my book, "Red Faber: A Biography of the Hall of Fame Spitball Pitcher." (McFarland & Co., 2007) Photo: Bain Collection, Library of Congress.